The Commission on Leisure in Later Life (LLL) was re-activated in 2006 by Professor Yvonne Harahousou (Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece). LLL is now chaired by Dr. Valeria Freysinger (Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA). The Commission invites all those interested in research, policy, and practice related to leisure in later life to become a member.

We are committed to raising our profile through research, dissemination, and advocacy. The Commission's activities willmake a difference by disseminating new knowledge and understanding through research projects and educational meetings. New avenues for dissemination will be established through an information bank (list of experts worldwide) and directory of good practices (scientific projects, policies, action programs). We are committed to potentialities for social change through the sharing of information, provision of culturally responsive education and consultation, and the initiation of effective programs. The subject matter of the LLL will be addressed globally through the WL Congress, Commission Conferences, other International Conferences relevant to aging issues, the UN World Forum, etc. The concerns of developing countries will be addressed by inviting governmental and/or non governmental representatives from around the world to the Commission's educational meetings, by cross cultural research, and by exchanging ideas, knowledge and programs with colleagues internationally through this LLL website.

Goals and objectives

The goals of LLL are:

• To increase our understanding of the role of leisure in contributing to the quality of life of men and women globally;
• To advocate for improved programs and better access to leisure experience for persons in later life;
• To serve as an educational resource for individuals, families, communities, practitioners and policy makers around the globe.

Our ongoing and future activities include:

• Forming a subcommittee of experts to consult and help developing countries for aging leisure initiatives;
• Creating a directory of personnel working on leisure and aging- indicating their interest and experience in policy, practice and research;
• Planning and conducting scientific and educational meetings (seminars/workshops/round table discussions);
• Publishing and distributing proceedings, reports, digests or summaries of any such meetings and programs;
• Communicating and cooperating with relevant governmental or nongovernmental associations towards common research initiatives, conferences, and/or recreation activities;
• Establishing a directory of good practice for effective and satisfactory programs for the older adults;
• Cooperating and conducting joint programs and projects with the other World Leisure Commissions.

 

Membership

Current members of World Leisure may indicate their interest in Leisure in Later Life by e-mailing the World Leisure Secretariat at secretariat@worldleisure.org. Former members and other non-members may join World Leisure and indicate their interest in Leisure in Later Life on the Web site at worldleisure.org. Members of World Leisure may become active in Leisure in Later Life by contacting the Chair, Valeria J. Freysinger at freysivj@muohio.edu or the assistant, Ms. Jiayin (Jaylene) Liang at liangj@muohio.edu.

Members of the Commission can be:

• Researchers/scholars in gerontology, sociology, psychology, recreation and leisure studies, social work, tourism, geography, philosophy, economics, etc.
• Students in a variety of disciplines (see previous)
• Policy makers/practitioners who work with and for older adults
• Adult educators
• Business people with an interest in the leisure, development, and well-being of the older adult population

Sources of members:

• Universities
• Research centers
• Institutions/homes for elderly
• Gerontology associations
• Sport and aging associations
• Open care centers/communities
• Parks and recreation centers
• Business and industry

 

Links to other institutes and organizations:*

• LARG (Leisure and Aging Research Group)
• IAGG (International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
• CSA (Canadian Gerontological Association)
• Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University
• GSA (Gerontological Society of America)
• ASA (American Society on Aging)

 

Announcements*

At the 11^th World Leisure Congress in ChunCheon City, Korea, Leisure and Aging Commission members toured and met with older adults at the ChunCheon City Senior Neighborhood Center (see picture).  In addition to a research paper session focused on the diversity of leisure in later life, Commission members also held a Town Meeting where Voices From Around the World shared their ideas and interests related to Leisure and Aging (see picture).

         

Please join us at the 12^th World Leisure Congress to be held in Rimini, Italy from 30 September to 3 October, 2012!   We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

*Note: If there are websites, announcements, or other information that you think would be of interest to the LLL membership please send information on them to Ms. Jiayin (Jaylene) Liang, Commission on LLL Assistant (liangj@muohio.edu) so that they might be posted to this website.